POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER

The Atamelang Regional Court sentenced Mathapelo Victoria Sechoko (51), Rosina Tlhalatsi (63) and William Tshilo (72), to life imprisonment for the murder of Thabang Keikabile (28). The fourth accused evaded while the trial was still in continuation, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. The conviction is linked to an incident that took place in Setlagole village, on 06 January 2019, wherein Sechoko, who was a police officer, together with her accomplices, accosted Keikabile and took him to her house, where he allegedly stole some items the previous day. They then assaulted him with sticks and sjamboks until he died.

Police reports revealed that Sechoko’s vehicle was used to trace Keikabile before he was apprehended and taken to where he was murdered. The court further heard how Sechoko, who is a police officer participated in the assault when she could have reported the matter to the police to ensure all the processes are within the ambit of the law. She instead, led a group of community members to act illegally, by taking the law into their hands.

In aggravation of sentence, Adv Nangamso Goloda urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, owing to the serious nature of the crime committed. He further argued that Sechoko should have known and acted better, as a law enforcement officer who is mandated to protect and uphold the law. Magistrate Stephen Du Toit agreed with the state and remarked that the minimum sentence legislation, was introduced for a purpose of effectively dealing with serious crimes. He further indicated that the elderly status of Tlhalatsi and Tshilo did not hold any compelling circumstances to justify deviation from the prescribed life imprisonment.

The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolele, lauded Adv Goloda and Sgt Koikoi from the South African Police Services, for a collaboration that led to a successful conviction. “This conviction will certainly educate community members not to take the law into their own hands, but report all criminal elements to law authorities”, she remarked.